Auburn picked up a key recruiting win, landing four-star defensive lineman and holding off competition from Florida, Miami, South Carolina, and Tennessee for the Birmingham, Alabama prospect.
Evans is a major in-state addition for Auburn. The Spain Park product stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 270 pounds, giving him an ideal frame for the defensive front. He is ranked No. 211 nationally and No. 24 among edge defenders in the 2027 class by 247Sports, while the Rivals Industry Ranking lists him at No. 346 overall and No. 35 at EDGE.
Miami was among Evans’ finalists, but the Hurricanes were never seen as a serious threat heading into his decision. Auburn overwhelmingly led the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 92.7 percent projection, while Miami sat at just 1.1 percent. Evans took an official visit to Miami on May 29, then visited Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, and South Carolina before making his choice.
Evans has been productive on the field as well. As a junior at Spain Park, he recorded 28 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in nine games. In his first season of high school football in 2024, he finished with 45 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two sacks.
Familiarity with Auburn played a significant role in his commitment. Evans visited the program multiple times prior to his official visit and repeatedly expressed how comfortable he felt with the Tigers throughout the spring.
Miami’s focus shifted after landing five-star edge rusher Jaiden Bryant on June 3 following his flip from LSU. With Bryant and Jayvon Dawson already in the fold, Evans was no longer a defining target for the Hurricanes at the position.
Florida may feel this loss more than Miami. Although the Gators have already added several defensive linemen in the 2027 class, Evans’ size and body type give him the potential to grow into a 5-technique defender and help anchor a larger, more physical defensive front.